South Somerset

South Somerset's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and health.

The population passed 160,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of South Somerset increased by 6.8%, from just under 151,000 to 161,000.

The addition of about 10,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Somerset was home to, on average, 1.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Somerset

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Somerset increased by three years, from 41 to 44 years.

This remote area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 6,500 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 4,000.

About 14% of people in South Somerset are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and South Somerset by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in South Somerset

The percentage of South Somerset residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89% between the last two censuses.

The percentage who reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities remained close to 2.7%, while the percentage of South Somerset residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.5% to 7.4%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 90% in 2001 to 89% in 2011). Across England, the percentage remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in South Somerset, but at a slower rate than across England.

In South Somerset, the proportion of private renting increased from 8.8% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Across the South West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 11% to 17%.

The rate of social housing in South Somerset remained close to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74% to 70%.

Private renting in South Somerset increased by 4.6 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Somerset, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of South Somerset residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.0% to 4.8% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of South Somerset residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Somerset decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Somerset, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in South Somerset working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 14% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.0%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.8% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in South Somerset decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in South Somerset, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in South Somerset, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 7.8% to 9.7% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (29%) households had only one person, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage of households in South Somerset which comprised a married couple (with or without children) decreased from 40% to 36%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.4% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

The percentage of adults in South Somerset that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 12% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in two (53%) people aged 16 and over said they were married, compared with 58% in 2001. The percentage of single people in South Somerset increased from 23% to 27%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 11% in 2001 to 12% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

More homes without children

The percentage of households in South Somerset without children increased from 64% to 66% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over one in four (26%) households had at least one dependent child, compared with 27% in 2001. The percentage of households in South Somerset with only adult children living with their parents decreased from 8.5% to 8.4%.

The proportion of households without children increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 64% in 2001 to 65% in 2011). Across England, the percentage remained close to 61%.

The proportion of households without children was higher than across the South West

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care

The percentage of South Somerset residents that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 0.9% to 1.2% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The percentage who reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 1.8%.

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 1.0% in 2001 to 1.3% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 1.1% to 1.4%.

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care in South Somerset remained close to 1.2%

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and South Somerset by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in work life

The percentage of South Somerset residents that were employed remained close to 54% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.7%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were unemployed, compared with 2.1% in 2001. While the percentage of South Somerset residents that were self-employed increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of employed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (which remained close to 53%). Across England, the percentage increased from 53% to 52%.

The rate of employment was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

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